The trust is also under investigation by the government over its finances.

Mike Ramsay, WCAT’s interim chief executive, said a new interim headteacher has been appointed, Davina Sumner (pictured above right), and an interim executive committee has replaced the school’s former local governing body.

He added “swift action” has been taken to ensure the academy is “turned around as quickly as possible”.

Sumner added: “Willow Academy has a huge amount of potential and I’m certain, with support and help from staff and parents, it can be turned around very quickly indeed.”

The trust said it has a record of turning around other schools, including West End Academy, in Pontefract, west Yorkshire, which was rated good with outstanding feature in June last year.

More than 50 staff members at Whitehaven Academy, in Cumbria, penned an open letter criticising the trust.

Bright Tribe said it was disappointed staff had raised concerns this way, and said the improvement of the school would be down “commitment and performance of our whole trust, school leadership, teaching and support staff”.